Ross County co-manager Steven Ferguson is refusing to get caught up in the talk of unbeaten runs heading into tomorrow’s Highland derby.
Caley Thistle’s 22-game unbeaten run – with 11 wins and 11 draws – has been well-publicised, but County’s 10-game run of their own has gone somewhat unnoticed.
Tomorrow’s visitors arguably head to the Caledonian Stadium as favourites, with a return to the top of the Championship within their grasp should they come away with three points.
Ferguson will not underestimate the Caley Jags given the strength of their recent record, but thinks there can be too much credence given to unbeaten runs.
He said: “It’s something to be proud of but the focus for us is three points. That’s so important – Tuesday is a fine example of that. Ayr took three points on Tuesday and we didn’t. If we’ve got aspirations to get out of the Championship then three points is really important.
“It’s something to hold on to but sometimes it can also become the focus and we don’t want to get into that. We would rather have the three points than protect any run we’re on. But it goes hand in hand.”
Ferguson is well-ingrained in the importance of the local rivalry between the two clubs, having first come to Dingwall in 1996 to play for Neale Cooper. He later returned there at the end of his playing career to join the coaching staff, before progressing to co-manager earlier this year.
As an Inverness resident himself, Ferguson is immersed in the build-up to the derby, which is back this season after County’s drop to the Championship.
He added: “I love it. I can’t get enough of it. I’ve got kids in school in Inverness, my wife works in Inverness and I live in Inverness. The rivalry is fierce but I don’t think there’s any real hatred there. There’s a desire to be better than the other and it makes a healthy rivalry, which reflects the area.
“Credit to both clubs, for achieving what they have achieved. We’ve been to toe-to-toe since we came into the Scottish leagues, with us being a traditional Highland League club and Inverness putting the two clubs together. It adds that spice.”